Mets pitcher Chris Young using Johan Santana for motivation as he looks to first start

William Perlman/The Star-LedgerChris Young will pitch Tuesday for the first time since May 2011.

UPDATE 1:53 P.M.: The pitching rotation for the rest of the week: Against the Nationals will be Chris Young Tuesday, Jeremy Hefner Wednesday and R.A. Dickey Thursday. Against the Yankees will be Johan Santana Friday, Dillon Gee Saturday and Jon Niese Sunday.

Throughout his rehab, Chris Young has turned to fellow Mets pitcher Johan Santana for medical motivation. After seeing Santana's no-hitter Friday, Young has seen what is really possible.

"He's always been encouraging, 'Hey you're going to get there,'" Young said. "And then to see him going out and having the results, having the success, it's inspirational."

Young is scheduled to start Tuesday at Washington in his first major league start since May 1, 2011, following surgery to repair the torn anterior capsule in his right shoulder — an operation similar to the one Santana underwent in September 2010.

Young has pitched consistently in the minor leagues during his rehab, with a 3.18 ERA in three starts in St. Lucie, then six scoreless innings in his final rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo last Thursday.

The 33-year-old Young said he knows his arm doesn't work like it did when he was 25, but he wouldn't be here if he didn't think he could get major league hitters out.

"I read swings," Young said. "If guys are squaring it up I know it's not there. And if guys are popping up or swinging through it I know there's enough life in the ball. So I don't look at the velocity. I'd love to throw 95 like some of these guys but it's not me. I'll take what I have and go compete with it and hopefully have good results. I just throw it and hope it doesn't get hit."

Young said he has thrown up to 90 pitches. Mets Manager Terry Collins said the club will probably limit him to 80 to 85 on Tuesday.

"We thought now would be the time to get him up and let him pitch," Collins said. "As he continues to get stronger and stronger things get better. He feels he's ready to go."

***
Mets starting pitcher John Niese is being checked out by doctors today.